Bangkok Utd wrest top spot in league
Buriram could regain leaders’ role with victory at Pattaya tonight, Glass Rabbits swoop Tanaboon
>> Although the expected goal-scoring spree never materialised, Bangkok United did enough to dislodge Buriram United from the Thai League 1 top spot last night.
Robson Fernandes netted the only goal of the match in the 35th minute to give Bangkok United a 1-0 win over Air Force to leapfrog the Thunder Castle in the standings.
However, Bangkok United’s stay at the top could end as early as tonight when defending champions Buriram travel to Pattaya United, expecting a victory despite having some fitness concerns over their key players.
Buriram were eliminated in the AFC Champions League last-16 round after losing 2-0 at South Korea’s Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, who won 4-3 on aggregate in midweek, during which some members of their starting lineup suffered knocks and bruises.
Hosts Nakhon Ratchasima went down 1-0 to Chonburi last night.
The winning goal came from 21-year-old Worachit Kanitsribumphen in the 18th minute. The Sharks defended well for the rest of the match to return home with three points.
Earlier on Friday night, Chiang Rai United fired three unanswered goals past hosts Ubon UMT United to pile more misery on their opponents who are languishing in the five-team relegation zone.
Chaiyawat Buran put Chiang Rai on course with a fine strike soon after the half-hour mark.
The visitors picked up two more goals in the second half with Sivakorn Tiatrakul netting in the 65th minute and Suriya Singmui adding his name to the scoresheet shortly afterwards.
With at least 40 million baht cash reportedly in their pocket from the transfer of Thailand midfielder Tanaboon Kesarat to struggling Bangkok Glass, Chiang Rai are likely to go on a shopping spree to strengthen their squad for the second leg.
Bangkok Glass coach Anurak Srikerd was quoted as saying by the Thai media yesterday that Tanaboon will start training with the team at the end of this month.
Chiang Rai had acquired Tanaboon from SCG Muang Thong United for a record 50-million-baht deal at the start of last season, but the midfielder has not seen much action since getting injured late in 2017.
Chiang Rai coach Alexandre Gama said: “His transfer will surely have an effect on the team because Tanaboon is one of our key players. Team that signs him will be really lucky because he has very high potential.”
Chiang’s victory over Ubon will put former champions SCG Muang Thong United, who travel to Sukhothai tonight, under pressure to deliver.
Sukhothai, who had a brilliant start to the league this season, have slipped to 10th place and they would be keen to avoid suffering their third defeat in a row.